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63 Galaxie 500xl, what's it have?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by repoman, Jul 14, 2006.

  1. repoman
    Joined: Jan 2, 2005
    Posts: 1,276

    repoman
    Member

    Hey Ford guys, I spotted a 63 500 XL hidden behind some trees. Seems like it's been sitting at least 30 years. The trees are grown around it. It is not a fastback.

    So what would this thing have?

    It looks straight, I plan to try and go after it as soon.
     
  2. Radshit
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 1,420

    Radshit
    Member

    Well mine has a FE 390......some may have a 289...........maybe a 427????
     
  3. ham-boned-ford
    Joined: Mar 24, 2005
    Posts: 225

    ham-boned-ford
    Member

    Yeah 260, 289, 352, 390, 406 and 427 or a 223 six. 3spd's 4 spd's and autos
     
  4. repoman
    Joined: Jan 2, 2005
    Posts: 1,276

    repoman
    Member

    So 500 XL doesn't mean it had a standard big block?

    I'll have to get under the hood. Hopefully the owner isn't too crazy. It's 'that house' -overgrown lawn, dead trees, dirty windows, etc.
     

  5. SnoDawg
    Joined: Jul 23, 2004
    Posts: 1,013

    SnoDawg
    Member

    Take a look at the Vin Look for R in the 6th position (I think) even if you dont buy it I know some folks who probably will.

    Dawg
     
  6. xl? my best guess would be the fe390.
     
  7. Irish Dan
    Joined: Jan 19, 2006
    Posts: 1,231

    Irish Dan
    Member

    It's one of te best body styles FOMOCO ever produced in the 60's! I love the "63 1/2" fastback!...really nice lines.
     
  8. 64deville
    Joined: Jun 25, 2005
    Posts: 147

    64deville
    Member

    Didn't XL just refer to the trim level of the Galaxie? I always thought it did anyway. And like most 50's - 60's cars you could get a variety of engines at any trim level.

    My friend had a 64 with a 352.
     
  9. Johnnee D.
    Joined: Aug 16, 2005
    Posts: 244

    Johnnee D.
    Member

    xl, trim and bucket seats, console...although you could have an XL and column shift...
     
  10. Bob K
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 5,772

    Bob K
    Member Emeritus
    from Antigo Wi.

    Mine had a 406 with 3 deuces. Loved that car.

    B:)B
     
  11. If it is a 390 or 427 car it will have "birds" on the front fenders, down low behind the front wheel. 352 and smaller motors did not have birds. If the emblems aren't there, look for the holes in the fender. 427 cars did not have automatics. If you check the VIN, look at the 5th. digit in the code. R=427 with 2x4s,Q=427 with 1x4, P=390 330hp., Z=390 300hp.,X=352,C=289 I think.

    '63s are great cars. Lots of rest stuff available these days. Sounds like you'll get the standard "I'm gonna fix it up someday." answer from the owner, but good luck.
     
  12. Oops sorry. 406 cars will also have "birds". They only built 406s to mid year when the 427 came out. Most 406s were square back, non fastback body style. They built very few 406 fastbacks. In fact it was supposedly not available but I have seen a couple. 427 and fastbacks were both mid year introduction known as 63 and halfs.

    Hope this helps. Let me know if you need anymore information.
     
  13. if it has the FE in it it will run, they are great motors at least my last one was. The XL has no meaning as far as the engine.
     
  14. AnimalAin
    Joined: Jul 20, 2002
    Posts: 3,416

    AnimalAin
    Member

    Sort of true. I am pretty sure that the XL package required a V8.
     
  15. octane
    Joined: May 8, 2006
    Posts: 339

    octane
    Member
    from Virginia

    Most I've seen have 352 or 390 FE motors. Great motors, but speed parts can be a little pricey and tougher to find than the Windsor motors. My '66 Galaxie 500XL was a factory 352 car that someone put a 390 in before I bought it. Shouldn't have sold that one...sigh...
     
  16. lgh1157
    Joined: Sep 15, 2004
    Posts: 1,671

    lgh1157
    Member

    Seems that everyone that owned a Galaxie regrets selling it, myself included

    L
     
  17. The early 63's can be the notch back rather than the fast back. I've had fastbacks that were 6 cyl. but not xl's. I have a 63 buyers guide but it's buried in the closet. I would expect a v8 but could be from a 289 up.
     
  18. guiseart
    Joined: Apr 7, 2005
    Posts: 3,872

    guiseart
    Member

    more than likely a 390 unless you are just luckyier than shit.
     
  19. guiseart
    Joined: Apr 7, 2005
    Posts: 3,872

    guiseart
    Member

    see if the valve covers have "Thunderbird" embossed on them, unless someone replaced them it's the 390... right guys?
     
  20. guiseart
    Joined: Apr 7, 2005
    Posts: 3,872

    guiseart
    Member

    like this... (kinda miss that one)...
     
  21. chopndrop
    Joined: Feb 8, 2005
    Posts: 715

    chopndrop
    Member



    I agree, XLs had at least V8's.
     
  22. Radshit
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 1,420

    Radshit
    Member

    The Ford literature I viewed said 289 was standard on all XL's the FE's were optional....
     
  23. texoutsider
    Joined: Jul 6, 2005
    Posts: 826

    texoutsider
    Member
    from Frisco, Tx

    That pic is a 62. "Troublemaker" posted the correct codes......
    We race a 63 1/2 Galaxie...not an XL...If it is a hardtop, box roof it is actually sorta rare. Most that survived were the fast backs.
    Hope to see ya out there sometime this year Joey......we will be in St. Louis for the Monster Mopar meet..all makes in NSS...a tribute to Dave Duell....weekend after Labor Day.
    Mark
     
  24. ABSOLUTELY! Ford had a few really awesome designs, including anything from the 20s and 30s, for sure the '32, clearly the '56 F100, the original Mustang, and the 1963 Galaxie. I'm actually surprised more collectors don't go after those. I like most old cars, but something is just really right about the '63.
     
  25. BrandonB
    Joined: Feb 24, 2006
    Posts: 3,434

    BrandonB
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from nor cal

    Had a 63 1/2 with a 390 and 3 dueces factory 4 speed car with bench seat. Traded the ex ol lady's Harley for it. The Harley was a 97' 1200 custom. Paid 7g for the bike, sold the Galaxy for 10g. The ex I'm still paying for. Wish I had the Galaxy back.
     
  26. 63galaxie
    Joined: Sep 11, 2006
    Posts: 7

    63galaxie
    Member

    lets see a pic of this car in the trees that has been sitting for 30 years.....
     
  27. repoman
    Joined: Jan 2, 2005
    Posts: 1,276

    repoman
    Member

    Thanks for the reminder. I'll try to get out there this weekend.

    I talked to the owner's brother. He said it's not for sale, but the owner is dying. He took my number, no word yet.

    It is a box roof.

    It has a 4-speed. Didn't get to the vin.
     
  28. twofosho
    Joined: Nov 10, 2005
    Posts: 1,153

    twofosho
    Member

    Learned to drive in my Dad's notchback 63. First time I tried to push the clutch in I was so nervous my foot wouldn't stop shaking.
    Red XL with black guts. Tri Power 406 4 speed, had the afore mentioned gold flags and came with 15" wheels/tires and it's own specific 406 only hubcaps that looked like chrome flat plates stacked up with a 3 bladed knockoff. I've recently read Ford used caps from a 57 Mercury and just added the knockoffs (the 406 required 15" wheels). If the car still has the original wheels and caps, aside from the flags this would be the only indicator of a 406 externally.
     
  29. headsoff
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 32

    headsoff
    Member
    from Ely UK

    [​IMG]
    I'm over in England, I run a 460/C6 powered 63 500XL. It used to have a 390 in it, but that bit the dust chasing a freinds Mopar powered 27T. Mines an early one, with the boxtop rather than the fastback. I kind of prefer the boxtop lines, it looks like the roofline on the 63 TBird. Crites Restorations supplied the kit to fit the 460/C6 combo, it worked well. The trans tunnel needed hacking about some, but other than that, it was an easy job.
    Gas over here is nearly £4.00 a gallon, thats about $9.00!!!!! Running a big block hurts!
     
  30. r.page
    Joined: May 10, 2006
    Posts: 25

    r.page
    Member

    wow!, to hear all these great stories about the 63 galaxie, it makes me even more excited and anxious to get mine on the road. i thought it was just a car that this girl happened to like...go figure?!:D
     

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